OK its a rough IWB appendix carry for a tapered barrel 4" M&P, OK it's very rough, but now I know it can be done. After wrapping the piece of leather around the gun in different ways for three days I went with what I thought would be the easiest design, and the purse I used was not that big to begin with. The hand stitching is all cockeyed and I even have a tracing wheel. I missed the mark under the ejector rod so I had to do that area again. I dressed the edges with a sanding drum in the drill press. I boned it with a sharpie marker and now just need to wait for it to dry. I used nothing but scraps from around the house. I was unwilling to spend a lot of money just to fail. I used an old purse for the leather, and the clip came from an old cell phone holster. I attached it with a soft iron rivet made from a nail. The only money spent was on the stitching tool as my sewing machine is not capable of sewing heavy leather. Now if I can just learn how to keep a straight line with the stitching tool I might actually buy some proper leather.

Oh, buy the way all you guys that do this all the time you have to give me pointers before you laugh.

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Regards,
Guy-Harold Smith II

I like it man. Looks pretty good.

Get an adjustable groover and a freehand groover. Cutting the grooves in the leather makes for a straight line, as well as keeps your stiching below the leather to help prevent wear. A marking wheel will lay out each stitch's position for an even professional look. After marking the stitches, I cut the holes with a rubber hammer and a diamond shaped awl. Then I double stitch with two needles and waxed, linen thread. I never had any luck with a stitching awl.
By the way, that's not bad for a first try!!!

Thanks, I looked up the tools and they sure look a good investment. As you can see I'm not having much luck with the awl either, keeping the thread tension even is pretty hard. I considered the double needle method first, and was planning on drilling the holes with a fine drill bit in the press, but while looking for the waxed thread I found the awl on sale and it came with lots of waxed thread.

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Regards,
Guy-Harold Smith II

Nice! One of these days I'm gonna try that. I have an awl. I just hope my first try is that good.
God bless us all,
gordon

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better have that checked

That's not bad for a first one and I like the way you used stuff around the house. Wonder if my wife has some old leather purses laying around. Na, I better leave that alone.
Greg gave you some good advice. The main thing is keep trying, you will get better. It don't take a lot of tools to make a nice holster.
I use the yellow file folders to make a pattern. Actually staple them together to see how the gun will fit. Then use it to cut my leather.
Keep it up and good luck.

That's a real nice job for an administrator!

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

You just saved about 60 bucks. I make all my holsters. Not ever going to buy new again. Way too expensive for what you get.

I resemble that remark.

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Regards,
Guy-Harold Smith II

A very well known leather craftsman, Al Stohlman, wrote dozens of books and manuals for the beginner, intermediate and advanced leather hobbyist. You don't need to spend a fortune to learn the fundamental techniques using inexpensive hand tools. I would suggest that a small investment of your time to study and learn to hand saddle stitch with two needles and an awl would go a long way towards a professional finish. Stohlmans holster manuals also have cut out templates for holster designs. They are worth a few bucks just for the information on tools and techniques.

Your first attempt (from all recycled materials no less) though pretty rough is much typical for an amateur first attempt. I assure you I did no better when I made my first one on my Grandmas kitchen table almost 50 years ago. It's kinda like trying to do brain surgery with a spoon. Leather stitching awls are ok for minor repairs of horse tack and such, more often from what I've seen, they ruin more than repair. Basic hand saddle stitching is easy to learn and without a doubt the strongest possible union when compared with the lockstitch awl. Small 4, 6 or 8 tooth masonry chisels make good precision stitch line markers, many hardware stores carry them. Try to fashion templates from heavy stock like file folders, outline the design, lay in your inside stitching line with a scratch awl. Proofing a paper template before you cut a single piece of leather is the golden rule. You'll avoid wasting leather, paper is cheap.
Good luck, if I can help you with advice, just holler.

Cheers;
Lefty

Not bad at all. I'm guilty of the same thing. I often use a once-over of shoe polish to hide the flaws.

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>>ARMED LIBERAL>>

Hit up CAS- City. The Forum has a leather-making room. I started 6 months ago and I've had cash money offers for my stuff! (Honest). PM me if you have any questions and I'll see if I can help. I'll try to post some pics from home.

I wouldn't quit my day job just yet, but that is a very practical and functional holster. Good job.

Trying to do that with a stitching awl is an up hill job.

Your next one will be twice as good.

Thanks, you have given me some good stuff. I won't let it go to waste.

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Regards,
Guy-Harold Smith II